The association Amis des Etudiants du Monde (AEM) meaning Friends of the Students of the world welcomes students and international researchers from all cultural and religious backgrounds.
We are present in Nantes, Strasbourg, Saint-Germain (Paris area), La Rochelle and Toulouse and we’d be delighted to meet you.
These students come from Indonesia, Brazil, Croatia, Chad, Australia, China and they share their experience with us in France with our association.
Where are we?
We are present in Nantes, Strasbourg, Rennes, Saint-Germain en Laye, La Rochelle and Toulouse.
Our main activity
Learning the French language
In all the cities where we are, we want to give students the opportunity to learn and make progress in French. So, each week during the academic year, we hold discussion groups in French and it gives students the chance to speak French and make progress in their understanding and their mastering of the language.
Other activities
Food distribution
Several nights each week, our volunteers go to a bakery to collect their unsold goods. They then distribute the sandwiches, the bread, croissants, etc that they have collected to the international students. The initiative enables us to combat food waste and bring food aid to international students.
Welcome meal
Our association holds big welcome meals at the start of every semester to welcome students from all over the world who have just arrived or who have been there for longer. It is the opportunity to have a fun time together, to get to know each other and to make new friends.
Cooking workshop
The cooking workshops are places where students can discover a tasty side of the French culture. As they learn, they discover new products, new recipes, new tastes. And of course, the icing on the cake, everyone ends up sharing their speciality. It’s always a time that is appreciated.
Evenings introducing a culture or a country
In the association, we see many students from all corners of the world. On the one hand, they have a chance to learn French and understand the French culture better, and on the other hand they have the opportunity to share about their country and culture. It is undoubtedly mutually enriching.
Discovering and celebrating Christmas and Easter
The students from all over the world who are in the cities where we are can have the opportunity to discover the Christmas and Easter festivals that are part of our calendar and hear about their meaning.
Our values
Christian hospitality
The example of Christ who welcomed and befriended people of different social conditions, cultures and all ages inspires us. We want every student to feel welcomed and feel at ease no matter what cultural and religious background they come from. Hospitality is expressed through the sharing of snacks and meals during our meetings.
Faithful friendships
Apart from the activities that we offer, we want to see true friendships being built between students of all nationalities and with the volunteers and the families that are involved in our association.
Patience
Our volunteers endeavour to be patient as they face the frustrations, the linguistic and cultural misunderstandings of international students.
